For Whom the Bewitching Bell Tolls p5

>While the apprentices work to engrave your desired blade design into a mold, you and Bark decide to give the ore a test run on smaller items
>To scale Everhoof, you would need some spiked frames for your footwear. Surely you could try making some here in the meantime
>Bark was a bit unused to handling his tools without magic, but he seemed to enjoy the odd challenge, even if it slowed him down a little
>Naturally, this wasnt an issue for you
>With some careful work and a bit of trial and error, you manage to fashion yourself a pair to slip into
>While you're at it, you could make some pins for the your outfit
>Just in case you're hit by magic, it might weaken its influence...maybe.
>No harm in making some climbing ice picks too
>All in all, you would spend the bulk of your day with trial and error as the two of you work with the strange material
>It takes quite a bit of effort to work with this metal, even when its heated, making it difficult to shape
>But the end results are rather pleasing to look at - creating a glossy black metal that proves to be exceptionally durable.
>The two of you break for lunch and a rest with the apprentices, who had finished designing the mold you would use for the blade

>"I must say, this is quite a difficult ore to shape. I think I might have to leave the main project to you, ", Bark states with a sigh as he wipes the sweat from his brow
>He seems a lot more fatigued than you would expect from helping with these smaller tools, but a part of you theorized that just making contact with this stuff drains the magically dependent equines to some degree
"No worries, friend. Thanks for helping me test this stuff."
>He returns a weary smile as he reclines in a nearby spot, letting his gourd and one of his aides keep him company.

>Once your break's over, you and the apprentices get to heating up the forge. They take to their Nirik forms as they aim for the hottest temperatures possible
>Nothing less would do with how pure you intended to make this weapon's edge
>Your previous tests gave you just enough to go on to know how to handle it now
>.....
>Hours pass as you labor, forging and reforging the blade's metals to remove impurities until you're satisfied, and then shaping the hot metal with hammer in hand
>Taking a page from Bark's book, you put your emotions and intent into each and every heavy but calculated swing.
>Everything that had been doused by the displays of kindness and friendship from this place was set aside to allow the flames of your indignation to burn as they should. However, much like the Kirin had learned since their encounter with ponykind, you did not let it consume you
>No, it was merely the fire that powered your engine to move you closer and closer to your goal
>By the time the sun had set, you had allowed yourself a respite as your work was set to cool, removing your sweat-stained attire after working almost non-stop
>"Anonymous, I do not know where you found the stamina to handle such a metal, but those feelings...."
>Bark speaks in a wary tone
"...you could say Ive been a bit peeved lately. I guess I never really had anything to vent it into till now"
>He returns a nod in understanding after running a hoof through his curly floof
>There's one more thing that you wanted to work on before you return while that blade cools, aside from the guard and pommel which one of the other apprentices finished while you worked
>Something just as important as your climbing equipment or this sword
>There's no time to waste
---
>You are Princess Luna
>And you have no words for what you see before you now after all of the efforts it took to unlock the gate to Tartarus
>After a long flight into its depths, you had come to the platform where the two most fiendish beings who have threatened Equestria in recent memory should be imprisoned
>Yet there cages lay bare, with nary a sign of any recent activity
>Save for an odd stone sculpture of a certain filly and centaur laying in the smaller cage
>"No signs of a struggle or forcible escape attempt," one of your mages note
>"No sign of any visitors prior to our arrival either", another remarks
>Anonymous' words pass through your memory freshly as you do your best to betray no emotions to your servants as you weigh the situation
>Nothing can simply walk in here and free them without leaving signs of their presence or a wake of destruction in their path if they used force
>And the two were powerless to escape on their own accord

>That means....
>Wait.
>While a part of you really wants to act immediately, to send out search parties and a warrant for Discord's arrest (or Fluttershy, if need be to draw him out), at least for the purpose of questioning, you also remember that the Outworlder's vision also showed that the three would be inevitably captured
>What if your actions in light of this new information prevented this from coming to pass? What if you enable something worse to happen by taking action now?
>"Your highness? What should we do?"
>Your eyes move to the stallion before you, showing great concern in that there were two escapees on the loose without any reason or explanation how or why.
"Nothing, for now."

>He seems taken aback by this, but you press on with your orders
"We are leaving this place. There is no clues or opportunities to be had here"
>"Should we make a report-"
"No. No reports, Archmage Wand Spark. Neither of you are to speak of this matter to each other or the rest of the guard. The situation is indeed worrisome, but I have an idea of what must be done."
>They seem at mild ease knowing that you have a direction to lead them, but still worried about letting this go
>You understand this, but this situation is even more delicate than the norm. Tirek's first appearance and activity was noted by your sister's dreams, much like Anonymous' visions of what was to be.
>However, hers was far more short-sighted. There was only so much to go off of, and her poor planning led to the one you suspect to be involved in this mess betraying Equestria for the rogue villain Tirek when he was supposed to aid in his capture.
>Anonymous' vision showed you both the endgame. It showed you both that they could, and would be stopped.
>You couldnt risk ruining things, as much as your logical mind screamed to take action.
>However....now that you were far more certain that things were going to what he's seen, you account that this crime will absolve the two of escaping Tartarus of their own will - a grave offense you resolve to charge at the one responsible instead.

>As you depart with your entourage, you begin to wonder whether or not the odd human had his own preparations ready for the day...and just what would he do when it came. Furthermore, how did he inherit such a prophetic power? Was if of his own acclimation to this world, or was there some other party involved?
---
>Two days pass
>Having finished out your loadout and forging your weapon and climbing gear and acquiring supplies for your trip, you're all set to set out.
>Autumn had made a point in aiding your prep by helping barter some winter clothing woven from Kirin floof and beast pelts that the hunters had gathered
>You really couldnt thank her enough for housing you and helping out, and just being good company, and you express this sentiment to her whenever you can
>"Its what friends do, Anon. The others tell me you've been helping a lot around town too, even if it doesnt net you anything to trade or gain, so I know you understand that."
>She looks at your blade, casually sheathed away on your back but under your rucksack
>"I hope you dont have to use that on anypony."
"I hope so, too."
>Autumn thought the blade to be rather menacing with the way it darkly contrasted to their magical and colorful world, even now she purses her lips in thought as she gazes upon it

>"You know what? I think it could use a little something."
"Oh?"
>Using her magic, the kirin snips off a lock her precious floof and binds it to the pommel
>"There! Now its a little less scary looking~"
>The gesture makes you chuckle - in a way, it did look a little nicer, and-
>"Consider it a reminder of your time here....but hey - you're totally free to come back when you're done!
>"I mean, its not like you're going on a really perilous climb in somewhere freezing cold when you could be nice and warm down south with us, and-"
"Hey..."
>You put your hand on her head to stop her rambling before she can take it too far
"I'll be back. I promise. You and the rest helped me a lot since I came here and I felt I should help in kind too. This place has been wonderful."
>"W-would you consider staying next time?"
>That caught you a little off guard. She's looking at you, having angled her face into the palm of your hand to slightly hide the blush on her face and a bit of her eyes as she gauges your response

>It was a question that had popped into your mind before, but was never the forefront of your attention with everything else going on.
>This place was a paradise. Even if it was far removed from a lot of the modern amenities you had been used to in Ponyville, it had a really good charm of its own
>Everything was natural and organically done, the Kirin themselves, though proud and a little temperamental at times, were incredibly kind and invested in each other's day to day
>And Autumn was a blast to be around as well
>Once this is all over, could you really go back to Ponyville? Could you be happy there knowing what the ponies had become, even if you managed to sway them to see the error of their ways? And if you didnt return, who would keep them on task to not lose themselves again?
>Could you still call them your friends after all of this?
>Could you just let them go once you've set things right?
>This....was a more difficult question than you had considered it to be when it bugged you in the back of your mind, now that its at your full attention, but....
"I want to."
>Her eyes and smile widen and her tail swishes excitedly
"I just need time to finish what I've started and set things right. Then, I'll return with an answer, but trust me, I really want to."
>"That's good enough! I'm gonna hold you to that though, so you'd better come back!"
>You smile warmly at the little fluffy bundle of excitement
"I promise."

>As you leave, you're seen off by a small entourage of the Kirin you've helped or been helped by in your few days here, including Bark Pyre and his apprentices
>Even their Elder, Rain Shine is there to wish you well on your journey,
>You turn around as you depart on the path leading out of their village and wave them goodbye as you set forth for Mt. Everhoof
>A long journey awaited you, but you were as ready as you would ever be for what lay ahead.
>You hoped.